Monday, September 28, 2009

Masking Tape - Huzzah!

What can you do with Masking Tape? Plenty! Flypaper, building construction, automobile parts, and best of all, creative innovations in arts and crafts! Some people have made dolls, photo frames, gift wraps, fans, giant props, and wall paper. Check out this awesome website for inspiration http://www.masking-tape.jp/ezawaBlog/

Recently, Seal came across a special masking tape company and is excited to feature them: Kamoi Kakoshi LTD., they are Japan's hottest Masking Tape manufacturer. They have been in the industry for almost a hundred years, and are the first to have made masking tape from rice paper, their "MT brand." It has just the perfect amount of translucency, vivid colors/patterns, and texture.

Probably the coolest thing about their website is their gallery and the Factory Tour Journal:it takes you on a complete picture book explanation of how they produce their masking tape, from raw materials into the final package.

Who knew that their company originally started out in 1923, manufacturing masking tape for construction sites, vehicle paint shops, and flypaper. It wasn't until 2006, that an educator/artist approached them with her book project and requested that they produce a variety of color. And they responded! Now they have over a 35 colors and patterns, you can check out their MT color chart here and their newest products here. You can either shop online or find these cool MT at Japantown, SF at New People the Store or at Kinokuniya Stationery both on Post St.

Inspired? Seal hopes that you are excited as she is about incorporating masking tape into her projects. If you end up making a masking tape project, take a photo and send us a link!